Limerick Premier Intermediate final four confirmed after concluding group stage round

Four remain in the race for promotion to the senior ranks of the Limerick Hurling championship.

The semi-finalists for the Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship have been decided after the seventh round of the group stages was played out on Saturday afternoon.

Monaleen topped the group with a fifth win and are joined in the last four by Newcastle West, Bruff and Effin.

Dromin Athlacca and Glenroe missed out by a solitary point with Cappamore second from bottom. Knockainey’s relegation had been confirmed prior to the concluding round.

Of the four remaining sides, Newcastle West were the only team to reach this stage of the competition last year. The West team were defeated by Cappamore in 2021. Monaleen were relegated from the top tier during last season while Effin were promoted from the Intermediate ranks. Bruff avoided relegation with a play-off win over Murroe Boher.

In a repeat of their final round tie, Monaleen will meet Effin in the semi-finals, with Newcastle West and Bruff clashing in the other this weekend.

In the final round, Monaleen and Effin knew a win would confirm their place in the semi-finals of the competition. But it was the City side that dictated proceedings, grabbing the first three points of the afternoon in an early sign of dominance. Effin did get within one but 1-5 to end the half put the game to bed with Monaleen running out 1-22 to 0-11 winners to ensure their spot.

However, Dromin Athlacca’s 2-13 to 0-14 win over Glenroe was enough to see Effin into the last four with the aforementioned sides knocked out.

Newcastle West sealed their place in the last four for the second successive year with a comprehensive victory over Knockainey. With their opponents already relegated, Newcastle West proved too strong with a 3-21 to 1-8 victory.

Bruff also knew a win would put them in a strong position to qualify with a healthy scoring difference on their counterparts. And the South side did just that as they defeated Cappamore 2-20 to 1-15. Last year’s finalists knew there season would come to an end on Saturday regardless of the outcome.

Limerick Premier Intermediate Championship

Round Seven Results

Monaleen 1-22 : 0-11 Effin

Newcastle West 3-21 : 1-8 Knockainey

Bruff 2-20 : 1-15 Cappamore

Dromin Athlacca 2-13 : 0-14 Glenroe

Semi-Finals

Newcastle West v Bruff, Saturday October 15 in Ballygran at 3.30pm

Monaleen v Effin, Sunday October 16 in Fedamore at 1pm